When you mention the phrase 'church leadership,' most people think of a democracy ... "Of the people, by the people, and for the people". That seems reasonable enough, but it’s not exactly the way Pilgrim members prefer to run things around here.
A 'democratic' church, with a primary focus on the 'will of the people,' leaves little room for God, wouldn't you say? At Pilgrim, we do not try to control our own destiny; we ask God to be in control. We believe that God has richly blessed us ... with a humble and highly motivated staff and member leadership who graciously guide our efforts to do His will.
A brief BIO for each of our church staff members is featured below. If you are new to our church, feel free to e-mail any or all of our staff to introduce yourself, or just to ask a question. Click the 'Pilgrim Leadership' tab above for photos and names of our church officers and Church Council representatives.
Rev. David R. 'Rusty' Sullivan
Senior Pastor
Pastor Rusty is a native South Carolinian born and raised in Fort Mill. He attended The Citadel where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration in 1986. After graduation, he served for 8 years as an Infantry Officer in The United States Army where he attained the rank of Captain.
Pastor Rusty graduated with honors from The Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C. in 2000 with both a Master of Divinity degree, as well as a Master of Sacred Theology degree. Following graduation, he accepted a call to Christ the King Lutheran Church in Atlanta, Georgia, to be The Pastor of Nurture and Outreach for a congregation of over 2000 members.
In February 2003, Pastor Rusty accepted the call to come to Pilgrim as Pastor, where he leads a professional staff of six others in ministering to a dynamic and growing 600+ member congregation.
Pastor Rusty lives in Lexington with his wife Julie, and their three children Savanna, Courtney, and Luke. Besides spending quality time with his family, Pastor Rusty enjoys coaching Soccer, Golfing, and playing on Pilgrim’s Softball Team.
Rev. Stephen Mims
Pastor of Nurture & Outreach
As a “preacher's kid,” Pastor Stephen spent half of his life in South Carolina and the other half in Newton, North Carolina. He is a 1996 graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC where he earned a BA in Psychology. Following his gradation, he married Staci Culbertson, and they moved directly onto the campus of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary where he graduated with a Masters of Divinity in 2000.
In August of that same year Pastor Stephen was ordained and began serving Peace Lutheran Church in Gibsonville, NC and remained there for six years. In September of 2006, God and mustard based BBQ called his family and him away from the land where Tarheel basketball reigns supreme, and he began serving at Pilgrim as the Pastor of Nurture and Outreach.
Along with spending time with his wife and daughters, Rachel and Mary-Margaret, Pastor Stephen enjoys playing golf (although not very well), watching sports (especially the Tarheels, Panthers and Hurricanes), playing video games and running.
Mary Beth Parker
Director of Church Operations
Mary Beth was born in Sanford, Florida, and moved to the Lexington area in 1977. She is a 1988 graduate of Newberry College, with a degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, she was employed with the State Credit Union as the Director of Training, and as a Branch Manager.
Mary Beth has been a member of Pilgrim since 1993 and joined the staff of Pilgrim in 1998 as our Preschool Director. In 2002, she became our Director of Community Life. She is married to Tony Parker and they have 2 sons, Tyler and Ryan. Mary Beth enjoys playing the piano, reading, animals, and working closely with all of the members of Pilgrim.
Anne Addy
Administrative Assistant
Anne was born in the Pilgrim Lutheran Church Community on Midway Road and now resides in the town of Lexington. She has been a member of Pilgrim for 55+ years.
Anne graduated from Lexington High School, Draughons’ Business College and attended USC. She was employed with the County of Lexington (Emergency Preparedness Division and the Treasurer’s Office) for 23 years. After retirement, she began working for Pilgrim Lutheran Church as secretary in 1995. Anne is a widow and she has three children ... two sons, Lin and Alan, a daughter, Barbara A. Parker, and three grandchildren.
Nancy Gibbons
Director of Music
Nancy Gibbons grew up long ago and far away in various towns in New Jersey. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wittenberg University, a Lutheran college in Springfield, Ohio, and has lived happily in South Carolina since 1988.
Nancy has served churches in Chapin, Columbia, Greenville and Simpsonville coordinating music ministry and directing choirs of all ages. She has worked as a public school music teacher at the high school and elementary levels. Nancy is also honored to serve as artistic director of the Dutch Fork Choral Society, a community chorus which meets in the Irmo – Chapin area.
Nancy lives in Chapin with her husband, Rick, and children Susanna, Catie, and Geoffrey, as well as pets too numerous to mention. When not involved in musical activities, she enjoys gardening and cooking. Nancy encourages everyone to use the talents they’ve been given, whether through singing, playing an instrument, or simply making a joyful noise to the Lord!
Gina Metze
Financial Controller
Gina has only lived in South Carolina. Grew up in Chapin, married to Dion and moved to the Lexington with their daughter Breanna.
Gina has been an accountant since 1986. She has been the accountant for Pilgrim Community Preschool since 1996 and the accountant for Pilgrim Lutheran Church since 2006.
Gina is one of the video operators for the contemporary service. She is a member of the crochet ministry and participates in “chapel time” at the preschool.
Wanda Pensa
Preschool Director
Wanda was born and raised in Batesburg, SC. She worked as a dental hygienist for seven years in South Carolina and North Carolina. In 1992, Wanda and her husband, Bart, became proud (and slightly sleep deprived) parents of triplets. Wanda spent the next several years caring for her children, volunteering in various church, school, and community activities, and working part-time from home as a medical transcriptionist.
Wanda has been a member of Pilgrim since 1999, and began working at Pilgrim Preschool in 2003. She accepted the position of director in 2007.
Wanda lives in Irmo with her husband, Bart, and their three teenagers, Grant, Katherine, and Zach. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and all things crafty.
Julie Fowler
Disciple Coordinator
Julie was born in Connecticut and lived in Florida and North Carolina before moving to SC in 1973. She graduated from Irmo and attended USC. She worked in banking for over 20 years. Julie joined Pilgrim in Feb. 2004 along with her husband Mark and son Sam. She enjoys scrapbooking, reading and trips to the coast.
It takes a lot of great people to make a great church.
We are fortunate to have some very dedicated folks providing leadership at Pilgrim.
 Meet our Church Officers & Church Council Representatives
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